The victims have been named as Abdikarim Hassan, 17, who bled to death after being attacked in Kentish Town, and 20-year-old Sadiq Aadam, who died from serious stab wounds in the same area around two hours later.

A 16-year-old boy was also stabbed outside a block of flats within the same time frame, police said. He remains in hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Last night Scotland Yard has arrested an 18-year-old in Camden on suspicion of two counts of murder and one count of grievous bodily harm.

London hit by TRIPLE stabbing horror

The Met Police has confirmed two victims were stabbed to death within just one hour of each other, and another was wounded

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The Capital was hit by a night of violence as 'numerous people' were stabbed

Given the time proximity and locations of the attacks, the murders, and the serious assault of the 16-year-old on the same night, are being treated as linked, the Met Police said.

A team of detectives, led by Detective Chief Inspector Paul Considine, are investigating all three incidents.

The teen is being held at a police station in east London as officers attempt to "establish the exact circumstances in which two young men were murdered".

In a statement, the Met Police said: "Officers arrested an 18-year-old man [E] on the evening of Thursday, 22 February, at an address in Camden on suspicion of two counts of murder and one count of grievous bodily harm.

"He is currently in custody at an east London police station."

At around 8.30pm on Tuesday night, police were called Bartholomew Road, Camden, to reports of a seriously injured teenager.

Abdikarim Hassan, who lived in the Camden area, was found with serious wounds and died at the scene despite officers and members of the public giving him first aid.

Around two hours later at 10.13pm, police were called to a "disturbance" on Malden Road, where they found Sadiq Aadam Mohamed with stab wounds.

He sadly died at the scene.

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MAPPED: The stabbings happened less than a mile from each other in just one hour

“What is clear is that there were three violent attacks.”

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Considine

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Considine, leading the investigation, said: "What is clear is that there were three violent attacks, by a group of men armed with knives, within about two hours of each other and within about a mile of each other.

"I need the public's help to establish the exact circumstances in which two young men were murdered and another seriously injured, and to identify the people responsible.

"Today, I am asking local residents or those people who were out in the area that night to think back - and if they saw something that may help us, please get in contact. I can understand why some people may be reluctant or nervous about coming forward but we need your help. We will treat your information in the strictest of confidence.

"I also believe that there are people out there who knows exactly who is responsible. I would urge you to do the right thing and tell us what you know. It is not too late."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the investigation team on 020 8345 3734, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.